Itsa @ Harvey Nichols, Dundrum

So Itsa opened in Dundrum ages ago and for one reason or another we hadn’t managed to get there. We have been regulars at other Itsa’s in the past – when we lived in Dalkey, visiting Dun Laoghaire Itsa (when it was Itsa Bagel!) most weekends, when living in Donnybrook, we were delighted when Itsa opened nearby in Ranelagh. We’ve visited the Exchequer street store on a couple of occasions also.

A bright sunny warm-ish day last week we walked to Dundrum to have a mosey around and get some lunch before we headed into town.

We sat outside on the terrace area, great spot to watch the world go by, with a spot of people watching!

I have a few favourites from the Itsa menu – one of my old favourites which is no longer on them menu (bring it back please!) was The Royal – a coronation style chicken with mango chutney. Aside from that though – The Californian – bacon, avocado, mozzarella, fresh basil mayo … although this one isn’t on the menu in Harvey Nichols. The Club and The BLT – traditional but delicious. I’m also partial to The Reuben – Pastrami, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, thousand island dressing on pumpernickel bagel. I stuck with the pumpernickel bagel on this visit but often swap it for an onion bagel instead. My husband’s favourites are normally The Mountaineer (roast ham, roast turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, honey dijon) or The Club…which is what he chose this visit – Roast chicken breast, brie, rasher, red onion relish, lettuce, tomato, mayo.

The Reuben

Both bagels were perfectly prepared, right amount of ingredients, full but not too overflowing bagels is how you want it! My Reuben had lovely melty swiss cheese over loads of pastrami. His Club was a hit – nice balance of the chicken, bacon and a beautiful brie cheese with the red onion relish.

The Club

A small thing – the pricing varies across branches – as an example – The Club in Ranelagh or Dun Laoghaire is €5.65 but in Dundrum is €8.5o – I absolutely get the market is different and the price should be higher in the Harvey Nichols, Dundrum store due to the setting and restaurant style – but it seems a bit of a steep mark-up even with the crisps and leaves on the side. Small thing though as the food is still top quality. We also had a cappuchino and a Diet Coke and our bill came to just over €21.

Itsa @ Harvey Nichols

Related – very excited to be booked in for the TC’s Pop-Up Barbecue Shack next weekend at Itsa Cafe in Sandymount – Bring on the Kansas BBQ!